Will Apple Sue Tidal For $20 Million Over Drake Performance?

Drake performed at a charity event for his friend and kinda sorta boss Lil Wayne. It was for the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, an event that decimated Wayne’s native New Orleans.

Well, Drake’s deal with Apple Music prompted a blackout of the Canadians performance, which was being streamed live on Tidal.

Now, there are rumors that Apple may sue Tidal.

The New York Post reports:
Apple Music declared war on rival streaming service, Jay Z’s Tidal, over Drake’s appearance at a charity concert to benefit kids affected by Hurricane Katrina. Tidal faces being sued for $20 million if it streamed Apple artist Drake’s brief two-song appearance at the Friday night show.

Apple Music execs were not happy when Drake was confirmed to perform at Lil Wayne’s Lil WeezyAna Fest in New Orleans Friday night, even though the festival benefits Tha Carter Fund, which supports after-school programs in Louisiana.
Lawyers were called in because the event was being streamed live via Tidal — and Drake has an exclusive deal with Apple Music said to be worth up to $19 million. Sources say the tech giant threatened to sue for $20 million if Drake appeared, or if his music was streamed live, on Tidal.

A source told us, “Legal letters have been sent to Tidal warning that Drake cannot appear on the Tidal stream of the festival, either solo or part of a group, and if the warning was ignored, the liabilities could be up to $20 million.
“This event is for charity, Drake is doing two songs. Why does Apple think it can dictate to artists where and when they can perform?”

The Post reported Drake has a $19 million deal with Apple as one of the artists who helped them launch their new streaming service.